Whether it’s the first time or the fourth, it’s a truly special moment when an Olympic roster is announced.
The Minnesota Lynx frontcourt of Napheesa Collier and Sylvia Fowles got the call that they will represent the United States at the COVID-19-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. A native of Jefferson City, Mo., it will be the first time the 24-year-old Collier wears the red, white, and blue on the Olympic stage. A gold medal winner in 2008, 2012, and 2016, Fowles is making her fourth trip to the Summer Olympics while representing her home state of Florida.
“It’s still surreal,” Fowles said ahead of her fourth Olympics. “You never want to get too ahead of yourself and get to comfortable in the position that you’re in. I think I had the opportunity to put in some great work over the last couple years with Team USA. To even be in the pool of being named to my fourth Olympic team, I’m very proud of myself, but at the same time, it’s a credit to myself and the work I’ve put in.”
For Collier, an emerging star in the WNBA, the call came as a pleasant surprise during her third season as a pro.
“I didn’t even know until the moment [USA Women’s National Team Director] Carol [Callan] called me, I had no idea if I was on [the team] or not,” Collier told media Monday. “Definitely very suspenseful waiting for that. It’s just a blessing. I feel so honored that the USA chose me and that I get to experience this with this team of amazing women.”
At the opposite ends of the spectrum of their careers, the Minnesota duo is looking forward to cherishing what could be their only Olympics together. At 24, Collier is youngest player on the USA roster, and the only player with fewer than four WNBA seasons under their belt.
Collier is cherishing the opportunity to share the stage with “Mama Syl.”
“I am really excited to be on [Team USA] with Syl, especially because I don’t know how many more years she’s going to play,” Collier said of her teammate. “To be able to go to maybe her last Olympics with her is such an honor.
“To be able to learn from her every day is an honor, so to experience this with her is going to be awesome.”
At age 35, Fowles will become just the seventh player to represent the USA in four Olympics on the hardwood. The Lynx center joins Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Teresa Edwards, Carmelo Anthony, Tamika Catchings, and Lisa Leslie as four-time Olympians.
As her elder, Fowles is passing down advice for Collier as she approaches her first Olympic experience.
“[I’m] making sure she’s soaking up the moment,” Fowles told media. “Not everybody gets this opportunity, and the first one is always special. The ones after that, you’ve got to make sure you capitalize on those as well… Making sure she’s soaking up the moment, have fun, and competing at the highest level with some of the greatest athletes.”
She continued: “Phee has evolved in many ways. We never considered Phee a rookie, so to see her at this point where she’s three years in is phenomenal.”
The two will be joined in Tokyo by Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve, who serves as an assistant coach for Team USA. The United States Women’s National Team tips-off play in the 2020 Summer Olympics on July 26 in Tokyo.